Insight

Here we speak to Jorge Cámara, president of ADEFI (Asociación de Distribuidores Españoles de Fijaciones) in Spain, about what is happening within the Spanish fastener market and how the association looks to support its members.

Fastener + Fixing Magazine last published its fastener distribution feature in 2022. How has the association and the Spanish fastener market developed in the last two years?

“At the Spanish ADEFI association we have welcomed two new members in the last two years, which takes us to twelve members in total. As an association we are always looking to open our doors to new companies and ensure we are representing the relevant fastener wholesalers and distributors in the Spanish market. 

Through ADEFI we look to share information about news and diverse factors around our sector. The association also enables us to find meeting points, where we can discuss common issues, such as the organisational, managing and structural side of the market, which helps us feel like we are all in the same boat, even if we are competitors. The EFDA communications and regulatory issues that may impact or condition our business have also become the main driver feeding us weekly.

I believe it makes a difference being part of a team and being updated to better adapt your company – walking with companions and not alone, providing greater security and certainty. Finally, it gives a more solid voice inside and outside the country. That is why I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our members for their support and confidence.

When it comes to the Spanish market we have seen a growth in sales figures for members in recent years, even with a disturbing cannibalisation trend in traditional channels of supply. The market has also seen a more demanding industry in regards to quality parameters and requirements, which has helped improve standards and service.”

A big topic at the moment is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulation. How do you believe it will impact the distribution sector and what measures are your members putting in place?

“The CBAM regulation is already impacting our purchasing departments and the purchasing process itself, such as increasing bureaucracy, requiring huge time and resources spent in tracing, as well as the effort needed for following up and fulfilling registers and requirements by the European Commission.

Unfortunately, fasteners were included at the last moment, when other semi-finished products were not. Whilst carbon emission control may be necessary, improvement takes time and we are still adapting to this new scenario that will be fully implemented from 2026. We are only just understanding the depth of this issue, for instance the serious difficulty in receiving and collecting data from manufacturers – the European Commission has not even been able yet to calculate emissions at origin. This means costs are being absorbed by importers and not yet transferred into the product price term to customers, who seem not to be really aware of the regulation.

This is why simplifying template data documents and making the registrations for all importers easier and comprehensive, as well as extending default values, is the focus for EFDA and its members – the national associations such as ADEFI.”

Anti-dumping duties are also still in force on certain products from China. What impact is this having on the market?

“When anti-dumping was introduced, it coincided with the historic wave of disruptions in the supply chain and inflation in products – due to the Covid-19 pandemic earthquake. The impact and shocks are probably still being shown and felt now, when current wealth of European GDP and demand are suffering.

Geopolitical tensions and economic protectionism measure strategies regarding both the USA and EU versus China have an impact of damaging trade, making it tough for Chinese fastener companies as both markets are core for them. We are no strangers to these turbulences; for European fastener companies China is more than an important partner in capacity and cooperation. This means that due diligence is very much needed in this period, even more so when the river brings rumours of circumvention inside China, meaning again huge risks for European importers.”

Sustainability is a big driver in the market – how are your members working towards a sustainable future?

“Each member is conscious to a lesser or greater extent to the speed in applying its environmental and social policies and creating value when feeding different industrial sectors. We also have to improve our purpose and policy as a body – a common goal of survival, caring for supply channels from origin to end user and in what we may handle; progressing our present and future standards and services; building through fasteners a better and more developed industry.

An area that is intimately linked to sustainability and having a particular impact on the fastener sector is the lack of human resources and the growth of automation. Both topics are in the mind and in the message of any Spanish or European person or company, not only in the fastener sector. Finding skilled or talented crew and implementing convenient automation in time are big concerns for our companies.”

What do you see as being the big trends for the fastener industry? How can your members benefit from these trends?

“Only the past can be predicted. The rollercoaster of recent years is a lesson and is evidence that we must adapt to unexpected and challenging situations connected to any crisis that shakes the world and disrupts markets. 

However, fastener habits will continue to gradually evolve and shift through changes in regulations, product norms, and mechanical properties, as well as coatings, applications, customers, new competition, emerging sectors, digitalisation, and so on. Possibly even through the impact of Artificial Intelligence. 

At ADEFI we will continue to support our members by structuring and coordinating all the issues we advance from EFDA – guaranteeing a good channel of communication. We will also keep aiming to expand our membership net and voice.”